Superbowl XLV

It's superbowl time everyone. Enjoy the game and I hope your team will win. Go Steelers!!

The Game Is On - Baseball Time

I am s huge fan of baseball. Gosh I just love the excitement and the thrill when the game is on. You cannot get me out of my seat when my game has already started. That is how I am when my favorite sports is airing. I do not know what's with baseball but I am head ever heels in love with this sports.

I mostly watch it on the television but given the chance to watch it live that would be awesome. I know Americans do love this sports and some would really invest on the tickets just to watch their favorite team live. I would love to go in one of the baseball stadiums here in the US and watch my New York Yankees and Kansan City Royals play. Hopefully one day I will be able to afford tickets for me and my husband and just have fun. He is a big fan of baseball too and his teams are Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers.

I might save some money now so that we can afford to buy each of those tickets. I want to purchase for New York Yankees tickets and Kansas City Royals tickets. I know my husband will still go with me if my teams are playing. This is so much fun and I do look forward to it. Since his birthday is coming up, purchasing a Boston Red Sox tickets and Detroit Tigers tickets would be a great gift. I know he will be excited watching his team live on the game and of course I'll go with him.

Soccer Players Leave Fans Amazed Every Time They Play the Game we All Love So Much

Post written by Leonard Dukes

Soccer is the original football and keeps fans entertained throughout every second of the game. Athletes that play soccer must exhibit a strong physical fitness and unique strategical skills in order to excel. Soccer is a sport that everyone can enjoy playing though, regardless of your age, size, or ability level. Players use their feet and legs to strategically move the ball around and ultimately score by kicking the ball into the goal.

Soccer has gained popularity all over the world because it offers a sense of national pride and the best total body workout around. Manchester United is a British soccer team that has truly touched my heart. There is nothing like watching a game on television and hearing the excited fans chant and sing and fill up the whole stadium. I love to watch soccer on satellite TV, which is why I looked to find the best TX directtv deals. It takes me to a state of mind that is free of worry and totally intertwined in the game.

Manchester United fans in particular live for the sport and their team; they come to matches dressed in red, black, and white and their passion for the game cannot be ignored. Soccer players leave fans mesmerized every time they play the game and invoke some of the most heartfelt emotions around. You should look and see what matches are coming up; you don’t want to miss out on the action.

Saints Made It Again

It is pretty much obvious on what I am trying to say with this logo especially to football fans. Yes, it's the New Orleans Saints logo and they are still undefeated. Wow! They have such an amazing game yesterday and I thought they are going to loss but good thing they didn't and still holding the leading spot..Wheewww!!! but that was close. They went overtime and everything but still they won.. Yippeeeyyy!!!..Yeah..yeah I think I am getting hooked to football although, I still understand some of it but I am getting there..Lol.. I watched it with hubby because he will explain to me on whatever terms that confuses me during the game..Hehehehe..which helps a lot because I am getting what the game is all about little by little. Go New Orleans Saints. Break a leg

Old Yankee Stadium in shadow of new park, sits out first Yankee WS since ?23

As the No. 4 elevated train pulls into the 161st Street station in the Bronx, it passes by the original Yankee Stadium. Hardly a rider notices. The home to exactly 100 World Series games and nine clinchers for the Yankees stands ignored, just across the street from its glitzy, new US$1.5 billion replacement. "I did the first few times I came. I thought about then," former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani said in an interview with The Associated Press before Game 1 of the Series. "Once I'm here, I don't anymore. Destined to be taken down piece by piece, the 86-year-old Yankee Stadium is a shell of itself, wrapped in scaffolding, construction netting and a blue plywood wall at street level. Take a sliver of a peek into the park from the 4 train, peer through a hole in the fence on River Avenue or look inside from the plaza across 161st Street and you'll see the place has been stripped of its memories. The nearly 56,000 blue seats are gone, leaving tiers of exposed concrete. The padding that covered the right-field wall where little Jeffrey Maier reached over and coaxed a flyball into a home run for Derek Jeter in the 1996 American League championship series is gone, too. The mound where Mariano Rivera saved 15 playoff games. Flattened. The perfectly manicured lawn has been cut up. All that's left is a mound of dirt piled high near the visiting dugout, weeds growing wildly. The batter's eye black area in centre field where Reggie Jackson sent one of his three home runs bouncing in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series, is faded and greying. And the soaring yellow foul poles have been toppled. "It is sad when you think about everything that's gone on over there, but this is everything we had hoped for," Yankees veteran Andy Pettitte said. "When we built this new stadium we hoped to be able to bring a World Series here."

We Loathe Marshall: Does Depth Chart Drop Mean Brandon Marshall's Denver Exit? by Rich Kurtzman (Analyst)

Marshall is no longer the No. 1 receiver on the Broncos, heck he's not even on the first team now. Second year phenom Eddie Royal has taken the No. 1 receiver spot, with veterans Brandon Stokely and Jabar Gaffney following him respectively. This move may not just be due to injury though, it may act as a precursor, to the very near future. Foreshadowing in the drama blockbuster that is Brandon Marshall's playing career, and really, whole life.

Marshall was moved off the starting string yesterday, which could be seen in a few different ways. First, he's just injured, and since he won't be practicing, it's a good way to get the other guys comfortable in those spots. Especially if Marshall misses significant time during the season. Second, Marshall was taken off the roster because he's hurt and has a court date coming up on Thursday. If Marshall is found guilty, he will likely miss a good part of the season, up to eight games, which again gets the next guys in line playing time at their new positions and learning the new routes and formations that come with McDaniels' arrival. Third, and most intriguing, this move of Marshall from No. 1 overall receiver to second-stringer signifies the Broncos possibly shopping the disgruntled receiver around. Maybe McDaniels is fed up with Marshall's "injury," brashness, and likely inability to learn the multitude of plays put in front of him.

Brandon Marshall is a superb talent, but is he worth it? Is he worth all this negative media attention, in a year Denver has already been shelled by the national and local media alike? Is he worth the "rockstar" attitude that he and many other prima donna NFL receivers bring with them? Is he worth the fumbles, plays taken off, and weak work ethic? Perhaps yesterday in Dove Valley McD and CO. finally thought, "no." Or perhaps Marshall just needs a few days rest.

I may be paranoid, but I wouldn't be surprised if Marshall is gone in the next few days.

Tickets for Football Fans

I wanted to share something to everyone especially for all the football fans. This is something I can share for those who wanted to get cheap tickets for the upcoming season of football games.

For New York Giants fans you can now get your New York Giants Tickets at acheapseat.com. On their website you will know where and how to get a ticket. Not only that they have a list of schedules for the upcoming games of New York Giants. ACheapSeat.com is a professional ticket broker with access to New York Giants Tickets. They provide the hottest premium tickets everyday just for you.

Next is for the New York Jets Tickets. Same with the team mentioned above tickets are also available at acheapseat.com. Schedules of the games are provided and you can even choose which game schedule you want to watch. If you are too busy with your work to buy a ticket online, worry no more because you can also purchase your ticket via phone. ACheapSeat.com will always make it possible for your to be on the game.

The last but not the least is for Pittsburg Steelers fan here we go. You can also purchase your Pittsburg Steelers Tickets at acheapseat.com. Same with the other team, schedules of the games are provided as well as the information needed for your order. Details were also given after purchase like the tracking number of your order. Tickets will be shipped through Fedex in a given time.

Hope it helps. Get your ticket now!

NFL Draft: Mitchell Makes His Point

A 4-8 season by the Bobcats didn't help. Neither did the fact that he was a snubbed during the Combine selection process. So Ohio University safety Michael Mitchell knew that he had to make a statement at his Pro Day back on March 12. "I had decided I was going to leave no doubt that I'm going to be one of the biggest, fastest safeties on the market," the 6-foot-1, 220-pound defensive back told Scout.com. "I looked at the day as, 'finally here's my chance.' I just wanted to get in a room with guys like William Moore, Mike Hamlin and Louis Delmas and compete with those guys. But since I didn't get to do that, my Pro Day was my chance to show that I could."Mitchell put forth a compelling case to the NFL scouts and coaches who gathered to watch the school's top athletes. He reportedly ran a 4.43-second 40-time on his first attempt and followed that up with a 4.49-second time—even though he pulled up a bit at the 35-yard mark due to tweaking his hamstring. Now remember, that's a sub-4.5 time in the 40-yard dash run by an athlete who weighs in at 220-pounds.As a result of that speed, Michael Mitchell doesn't just tackle opponents, he clobbers them. Watch his highlight reels and you'll see that players' legs fly out when this guy puts a hit on them. He made 62 tackles during his senior year, forced a pair of fumbles and picked-off three passes. "It's so weird that I've been flying under the radar, and at times it's been frustrating," he said. "I've been playing well, I've never been in trouble, I truly believe I'm a good person with a good heart. "If you ask people about Mike Mitchell, they'll tell you he's a hard worker and a great leader. He's a guy who's going to give 110 percent every time he steps on the field whether it be a workout or anything regarding football, he's always putting his best foot forward. And I'm definitely proud of that. Mitchell told Scout.com that the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans and Detroit Lions all spent some time talking with him at his Pro Day. He's also worked out for the Chicago Bears and the Cincinnati Bengals. And he's had official visits with the Colts, Browns, the Oakland Raiders and the Green Bay Packers. As he's made the rounds with NFL teams, he's finally hearing that coaches and scouts have noticed that he's worthy of getting his shot at playing in the NFL. "I keep hearing that they really like my size and my athletic ability," Mitchell said. "I think the thing that shocked a lot of people is my footwork. But I played corner all my life, and then when I got to college my coaches saw my potential to play safety, so he moved me to free safety. But as you watch film, you can tell I kind of like to hit people a little bit, so he moved me to strong safety."Team officials also seem to be attracted to some of Mitchell's intangibles as they've learned more about him."They've told me that they really like the leadership and emotion I bring to the game," he said. "I hope this doesn't come off the wrong way, but I truly believe there isn't another player that brings it like I bring it, every play, every practice, every game. Michael Mitchell is ready for the NFL. And one thing's for sure—he's no longer flying under the radar.

Direct TV

When I was still in the Philippines, we do not have DirectTV makes me wonder why. When I got here in the United States I was surprise because it is so popular. Most people here uses Direct TV for their viewing option. I got so curious why this popular and highly recommended by everyone. Even us has a subscription to it.

Direct TV service becomes popular and patronize because of the kind of service that they have. It provides 99.9% signal reliability. It has over 130 channels. It offers incredible value with lower price per channel. The Direct TV system dominate sport and holding the title of top ranking customer satisfaction. No wonder they are number 1 in the US now. Subscribe to Direct TV now.

Football Ground Challenge

Exhausted from travelling 2,500 miles in just 89 hours while visiting 93 football grounds across the country, four football crazy friends were enjoying a well-earned rest today having raised a mammoth £3,500 for charity. Their exhilarating trip saw them visit all the English Premier League and Football League grounds, as well as an extra unplanned trip to Wembley, in a record four days.

The challenge kicked off on Thursday at 6am, when Steve Thorpe, Sam Downing, Jack Thorpe and Mark Downing made their way to their first stop at Colchester United in an attempt to visit 92 grounds in 92 hours.

Their journey took them to some of football's most famous stadiums, including Anfield, home of Liverpool, and Manchester United's Old Trafford.
Along the way, the team also met football legend Sir Geoff Hurst, who is best remembered for his years with West Ham and as the only player to have scored a hat-trick in a World Cup final. The trip finished at 11.30pm on Sunday when the group arrived at Posh's ground in London Road ground.

They also collected football memorabilia including signed footballs, a football shirt from Chelsea and an Arsenal pendant, which they plan to auction off to boost the funds raised for the Free Kicks Foundation.

The Peterborough-based charity takes children who have an illness, disability, or who are deserving in another way, on a day out involving their favourite football team.

Steve Thorpe said: "The trip was absolutely brilliant but extremely exhausting. We only got about six hours sleep over four days.

"We were delighted to finish well under time in just 89 and a half hours, and even got to go to Wembley, which was a real treat. But what made the trip was knowing that we raised more than £3,500 – and there is still money coming in.

"The highlight of the trip was definitely meeting Sir Geoff Hurst at Chester City, he just happened to be there so we got our pictures taken with him and told him all about the trip.

"We also got to go inside a few of the grounds, including Hull and Middlesbrough, and take pictures, which was good.

"When we got to Bristol Rovers on Saturday we watched the Posh game and had our pictures taken on the pitch with some of the players.

"Throughout the trip we also collected signed balls and other football memorabilia, which we will be auctioning off at a later date to raise more money.

"This money means we can provide days out for at least 10 children in Peterborough and across the country.

"I don't think we will ever do it again, it was very tiring."

2009 NFL schedules

NFL owners are formulating a strategy to begin negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement with the players' union, but commissioner Roger Goodell said Monday he expects a new deal will be in place before next March, when the salary cap is set to expire.

"I don't believe that will be the case," Goodell said when asked about the possibilities in an uncapped season in 2010. Owners opted out of the current CBA last year, which will trigger the end of the salary cap if no new deal is reached before next March.

Owners' priorities in the negotiations will include having the costs for building and operating stadiums recognized by the players and instituting a salary cap for rookies, Goodell said in a news conference at the NFL's annual meeting in Dana Point, Calif.

There is no timetable yet for when negotiations on a new CBA will begin. Goodell met with new NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith Friday for the first time.

The economy is hurting the league's revenue streams, and Goodell said the ramifications will have an effect on the negotiations. Money from sponsorships and licensing is down, and the league is concerned about the possibility for reduced ticket sales in 2009. Read more,,

Women's basketball: Kansas 61, Nebraska 56

OKLAHOMA CITY – Trailing by 11 points early in the second half, Kansas' Danielle McCray battled for a loose ball in the paint, found the handle, and muscled up a shot in traffic for a basket.

It was the start of something big for the Jayhawks.

McCray went on to score 17 of her 22 points in the second half, Sade Morris added a career-high 24 in her return to her home state, and Kansas charged back to beat Nebraska 61-56 in the Big 12 tournament Thursday.

"The first part of the game, both teams were a bit antsy," McCray said. "Nothing was coming easy for me, but (that shot) gave me some confidence that I could actually make a shot. I think the team saw how emotional I was after that play and fed off of it."

McCray sank the ensuing free throw for a three-point play to cut Nebraska's lead to 39-31, and the eighth-seeded Jayhawks (18-12) kept charging back to earn a spot opposite top-seeded Oklahoma in Friday's quarterfinals.

McCray and Morris, a Norman native, scored 29 of the Jayhawks' 33 second half points. The duo also combined for 14 rebounds and 36 of the team's 50 shots in the contest.

"When the shots aren't falling, that's what great players do. They go get an offensive rebound and make something happen," Kansas coach Bonnie Henrickson said. "We call them Batman and Robin. (Texas A&M coach) Gary Blair calls them Pippen and Jordan. They are great together and when (Morris) stays aggressive, it makes them even better."

McCray's 3-pointer in transition tied the game at 48 with 8:15 to play. She hit another 3 from the top of the key to give Kansas a 57-55 lead with 41/2 minutes left, and the Jayhawks didn't allow another basket the rest of the way.

Morris took a steal the length of the court for a layup to push the lead to 59-56 lead, and her assist on a basket in the closing seconds secured the victory. Morris finished 12-for-19 and added seven rebounds.

"We knew coming here that we could play our way into the national tournament," Morris said. "I think both teams knew coming in that it was in or out for both of us.

"The defense we played in the second half was the difference."

Cory Montgomery had 20 points and nine rebounds to lead Nebraska (15-15), and Yvonne Turner scored 13. The Cornhuskers had won five of seven games after starting 1-8 in Big 12 play.

"I thought Kansas played really well offensively," Nebraska coach Connie Yori said. "I'm not sure what more we could do on our defensive end.

"They've got two big guards in McCray and Morris, who create lots of matchup problems for us."

Kansas has won five of its last six games, including a 69-45 win over No. 5 Baylor on March 4.

"Our No. 1 goal coming into the season was to make it to the NCAA tournament," McCray said. "I think we've done that."

Piitsburg Won

The Superbowl has finally ended and declared the winner. It's the Pittsburg team who won. Yeah!.. For sure my husband will be very happy that his team won on Superbowl 43 yesterday. I know Pittsburg fans are happy too because they made it and made history on superbowl 43. Well, have to wait for another season again and hopefully they will make it again next. Hoorraayyy!!! to Pittsburg Team

Super Bowl 43

I am not a football fan. It's not because I don't like this kind of sports but because I don't understand the way they play the game. To me it is so confusing and as I look at it, it is like a wrestling match to me..lol.. My husband is a big fan of football but I guess most American people loves football and as a new member to the community I am still adjusting to it. Today is a very significant day for football fans out there because it's the Super bowl and it is played between Arizona and Pittsburg. As of now Pittsburg is leading on the 3rd quarter but still a long way to run to tell the winner so we will see. Little by little I am starting to learn what really football is and hopefully soon I will be hook to it just like many Americans in the States. I believe some of my friends are addicted to this sports already and I don't see myself not hooked with it. So I hope you guys are having fun watching the Super Bowl. Go Pittsburg!

Hook to the game!

I have heard so much about paintball and I really want to try it. I did some research and I came across this website that has all the stuff that you need as a beginner. I am talking about Ultimate Paintball LLC. They are located in Missouri and keeps in stock the full line of paintball guns paintball markers, paintball gear, barrels, hoppers, harnesses, tubes, paintball masks and dye paintball. I cannot wait to try this game and get hook to it. Check out their website now.

Australian Tennis Open

I am sitting here and watching the Australian Tennis Open. It is played between Federer and Djokovic. It's been a tremendous game and currently on the thrid set. Djokovic is playing an excellent game and leading but Federer is catching up and trying to win the third set. I hope he will make it and will win the thrid set.

Philippines rejoices at Pacquiao's victory over De La Hoya

Filipinos watching the fight all over the country erupted in celebration De La Hoya's corner threw in the towel before the start of the ninth round.De La Hoya's left eye was closed shut after the eighth round, prompting the ring doctor, referee and his cornermen to decide that he had enough."You're still my idol," Pacquiao told De La Hoya after the fight in Las Vegas.

"No, you're my idol," De La Hoya said.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo called Pacquiao to congratulate him immediately after the fight, according to deputy spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo.The president and the Filipino people would like to extend our profound congratulations to Manny Pacquiao," she said. "His boxing fit is testament to the spirit of the Filipino, our resiliency and strength to ace the challenges that come our way."

Press secretary Jesus Dureza added that while Pacquiao was the underdog in pre-match analysis, the local boxing icon showed "true Filipino grit and grace" in his triumph over De La Hoya.

"Manny indeed is making boxing history," he added. "We are all truly proud of him."

Cinemas and restaurants showing the fight live were packed with boxing fans despite the steep entrance fees, while thousands more jammed sports complexes and public gyms for free showings.

Even the military's main headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo showed the fight for free.

The streets of Manila were clear of traffic as most Filipinos were watching the fight, and police reported a decline in crime during the hours of the fight.

In Pacquiao's home city of General Santos in the southern Philippines, his mother led thousands in cheering for the boxing icon.

"I thank the Lord for he has been very kind to me and my son," Dionesia Pacquiao said. "I thank everyone who prayed for my son. Thank you all."

THE BATTLE IS ON

BOTH Golden Boy Promotion and Top Rank top executives are now downsizing and downplaying their earlier huge forecast on pay per view (PPV) buys for the December 6 (December 7 Philippine time) fight between Oscar dela Hoya and Manny Pacquiao. From a high estimate of topping or equaling the 2.15 million buys generated by the Dela Hoya-Mayweather Jr. ticket last year, the promoters of the Dream Match are now saying 1.5 million PPV buys would already be a 'smash hit' given the recession that is hitting the US economy.

Scalpers who anticipated to make a killing earlier cornered the live ticket sales are now reportedly having a hard time moving tickets valued at $1,500 where before these could command a pricey tag of up to $35,000 each.

That is why this corner has always prodded Pacquiao lawyer Jeng Gacal, a fellow 1977 graduate of the Marist Notre Dame school system in General Santos, to always include in the fight contract proviso of Manny a guaranteed purse clause.

For the Dela Hoya tiff, a $10 million dollar guaranteed pay slip plus substantial share on the upside of the PPV and other sales (live and close circuit television tickets and cable and free TV proceeds) were broached.


After all, it was money above all that made Team Pacquiao decide to take on Dela Hoya's offer aside from a shot at boxing immortality.

Dela Hoya's initial offer to Manny was a flat out 70-30 split on PPV buys that was promptly rejected by Team Pacquiao and which turned out to be a good decision.

MY COUNTRYMEN

I use to follow Pacman's fight when I was still in the Philippine. Generally, he is my countrymen, we live in the same place particularly General Santos City. I am really looking forward to his fight this coming December 6, 2008 against Dela Hoya..Here's some glimpse about Pacman's preparation:

LOS ANGELES — At the end of Manny Pacquiao's long workout at the Wildcard Boxing Club in Hollywood, after the 100 or so lucky fans who have been waiting outside in the parking lot have been let in to see their hero, Team Pacquiao calls for a moment of silence.

Then Pacquiao walks to one corner of the ring, bows his head into the ropes, and the noisy gym becomes respectfully silent.

A minute or so later, Pacquiao raises his head and walks across the ring, smiling at the admiring crowd.

"Amen," some of the fans say.

Pacquiao, the 29-year-old Filipino lightweight champion who is considered the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, repeats this routine daily as he prepares for his much-anticipated showdown in Las Vegas on Dec. 6 against Oscar De La Hoya.

The ring prayer represents half of what Pacquiao says makes him such a great fighter, a fierce competitor who started as a 106-pound teenager and has held world titles at 112, 122, 130 and 135 pounds.

The other half is what he has just done in the two hours before his prayer — a grueling, non-stop workout focusing on speed, strength, strategy and endurance.

"What I have done in my career," he says, "is because of my hard work and my belief in God."

It's a career that would take a quantum leap if he can take down De La Hoya at 147 pounds, the welterweight limit. Pacquiao has never before fought in a division higher than lightweight, where the limit is 135 pounds. De La Hoya will presumably have an advantage in power, as well as in height and reach. So it is De La Hoya, though he is six years older, who is considered the favorite.

That's precisely why Team Pacquiao believes a victory will be a turning point for the feisty southpaw who is a national hero in his native Philippines.

"Twenty years from now, 30, 40 years, I want my name to be at the top level of boxing history," Pacquiao says. "That's why it's really important for me to win this fight. It's the biggest fight of my career.

"The point of this fight is to do something that people will never forget."

Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's longtime trainer, says a victory "would elevate Manny to superstar status. He's not quite there yet. This is definitely a turning point."

Their strategy to pull off the upset is partly obvious and partly a secret Roach says he learned when he trained De La Hoya in a losing effort against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

"It's no secret Manny has to take the jab away from Oscar, get inside the jab, fight at short range," Roach says. "Oscar is a distance fighter. He has long arms. I don't think it's a huge problem. But it is our biggest problem.

"And it's no secret we're going to attack the body first and break him down."

So what is the secret?

"All the techniques we apply right now, we don't tell to anybody," Pacquiao says. "Just me and Freddie only."

Roach says this much: "I know why Oscar's jab in the Mayweather fight stopped working. Mayweather didn't make an adjustment. Oscar forgot to do something."

What?

"You'll see," Roach says. "That's part of our game plan, of course. It will happen in the fight."

The much-discussed jump in weight is really much ado about nothing, Pacquiao says.

"My regular weight when I'm not training is 155," he says. "Right now I'm about 150 and I think I'm in better shape than I've ever been. I'm ready to fight."

As for a game plan if Pacquiao wins, Roach says he'd like Pacquiao to fight twice more.

"I'd like to see him fight Ricky Hatton (the 140-pound champ) and beat Hatton, which I think we can," the trainer says. "I think Floyd Mayweather will come back. I'd like to see Manny fight Floyd and beat him, and then call it a day. He'd have nothing else to prove.

"He'd be considered one of the greatest fighters of all time. He'd be a champion in five weight divisions."

How does that sound to Pacquiao?

"He said that?" Pacquiao says. "Two more? OK. That's fine. That's enough."

US BADMINTON HISTORY

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Badminton was invented long ago; its origins date back at least two thousand years to the game of battledore and shuttlecock played in ancient Greece, India, and China. Badminton took its name from Badminton House in Gloucestershire, the home of the Duke of Beaufort, where the sport was played in the last century. By coincidence, Gloucestershire is now the base for the International Badminton Federation (IBF). Badminton has a rich history in the United States. The first badminton club in this country, the Badminton Club of New York, was formed in 1878 and became a weekend meeting place for New York’s society leaders. Badminton’s popularity boomed in the 1930s as educational institutions, YMCAs, and hundreds of newly formed clubs offered badminton instruction. Also spurring the sport’s popularity in the 1930s was the avid play by several Hollywood personalities including James Cagney, Bette Davis, Boris Karloff, Dick Powell, Ginger Rogers, Joan Crawford, and Douglas Fairbanks. The American Badminton Association was organized in 1936 (changed to USBA in 1978), when Donald Wilbur, Robert McMillan, and twins Donald and Phillip Richardson, all of Brookline, Massachusetts, decided to unite the nation’s various badminton groups. Programs from New York, Massachusetts, Chicago, and the West Coast came together to form one voice and standardize rules and regulations of the game. The ABA held its first National Championships in 1937, and became a member of the International Badminton Federation (IBF) in 1938. The year 1949 brought the United States its first world champions as David Freeman of Pasadena, California, won men’s singles at the prestigious All-England Championships (considered the unofficial world championships until 1977 when World Championships were instituted). Americans Clinton and Patsy Stevens won the All-England mixed doubles title the same year. The United States’ international success continued. Between 1949 and 1967, the United States won 23 world individual championships (one men’s singles, 12 women’s singles, one men’s doubles, eight women’s doubles, and one mixed doubles) and three women’s world team championships. The U.S. men’s team was also world runner-up during this period. Sports Illustrated acknowledged the United States’ badminton success by featuring top male player Joe Alston on the cover of its March 7, 1955 issue. The number of U.S. clubs declined slightly in the 1970s; however, high school and collegiate play expanded. Nearly 2,700 members belong to the USBA (as of September 1995). The USBA estimates there are thousands more recreational badminton players in the United States. The Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) reports in its 1993 study that 300,000 people play badminton weekly in the United States, and 760,000 people call badminton their favorite sport. The USBA in 1991 moved its National Office from Papillion, Nebraska, to the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Currently the USBA has six staff members, including two national coaches. The USBA's mission is to serve as the national governing body of the sport, to increase participation in the sport, to provide the highest possible quality of service to its members, and to achieve outstanding performance in international competition. The USBA solidified its commitment to improve international performance by forming the Olympic Player Development Committee in 1993. The USBA High Performance Plan, drafted in April 1994, is a detailed, comprehensive plan to achieve Olympic medals by the 2004 Games. Integral parts of that plan include establishing a resident training program at the Olympic Training Center and acquiring a fulltime internationally recognized National Coach -- both of which the USBA accomplished in 1994. In accordance with this mission, the USBA sends players to the World Championships, Sudirman Cup (world mixed team championship), Thomas Cup and Uber Cup (world men's and women's team championships, respectively), World Junior Championships, and Pan American Games. Major U.S. competitions conducted by the USBA include the annual U.S. National Championships, U.S. Junior National Championships, and U.S. Senior National Championships, and the U.S. Open. The USBA’s goals leading up to 1996 and beyond reflect its commitment to supporting U.S. badminton athletes in their quest for increased international success.